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Prioritize Public Financing (Editorial)

The Albany Times Union editorial board outlines
its priorities for the New York Public Campaign Financing Commission as it
designs a system for New York state.
First, the board writes that the Commission should lower the state’s
sky-high contribution limits to help avoid influence-buying and instead incentivize
candidates to participate in a public financing system. Second, the Commission must establish straightforward
rules that, among other things, ensure that public funds are used for campaign
expenses only and for require repayment of public funds not spent during the
election. Finally, the Times Union board
emphasizes the critical role that the oversight agency tasked with enforcing
the program’s rules will play.